Gerald Yost

Dr. Garold Steven Yost

September 1948 – June 2014

Gary Yost, our wonderful father, husband, grandfather, uncle, brother and son passed away on June 23, 2014 at the University of Utah hospital of complications due to lingering illnesses.  Gary was born in Denver, Colorado to Howard and Marjory Yost on September 8, 1948.  Gary met his first love, Susan Nesheim, in 1977 and they married on August 2, 1978 and were blessed with 3 children Scott (Lindsey Carrico), Shawn (Jennifer Aragon), Shane (Alejandra Nehme). Gary lost Susan on December 15, 1993 and later met the second love of his life, Barbara Yost, along with her children Andrew, Nicole (Sheldon), Matthew and Candace (Nathan Stevens).   Gary and Barb were married on January 28, 1995 and the Yost Clan was born. Gary loved his blended family and his happiest moments were spending time with his seven kids and 5 grandchildren at home or especially on vacations.  The annual family trips to Oceanside, California are legendary!

Gary graduated from Hesston Junior College with an Associate Degree in 1969.  He earned his BS from Bethel College in 1971, MS Organic Chemistry from University of Hawaii in 1974 and his PHD in Organic Chemistry from Colorado State University in 1977.  He did a Postdoctoral at the University of California San Francisco, had tenure track positions at Towson State University and Washington State University before becoming a tenured Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology and an Adjunct Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at University of Utah in 1992.

Gary belonged to numerous scientific, professional, and scholarly societies including the American Chemical Society, International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics, Society of Toxicology and the Mountain West Society of Toxicology.  He was the recipient of many awards and recognitions including the Zeneca Traveling Lectureship Award, the Colgate-Palmolive Traveling Lectureship from the Society of Toxicology and was elected Fellow of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences in 2000 and elected to the Board of Directors from 2004-2007.  He served on many national and international committees; National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on Toxicology (Guidelines for developing spacecraft contaminants, U.S. Naval Medical Research Toxicology Program, Subcommittee on Rocket-Emission Toxicants).  He also served on numerous editorial boards.

Gary loved his profession!  He was an outstanding scientist with an international reputation for excellence.  He was an excellent mentor and lecturer for many doctoral candidates, pharmacy and medical students.  His influence will continue to be a force in his scientific field and from his association with his students and family.

Gary is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren (Shelby, Brendon, Kaitlyn, and Abby Lewis, Cash Yost), parents, and siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Cannon Mortuary, 2460 East Bengal Boulevard (7600 South), Salt Lake City, Utah.

Friends may call at the Cannon Mortuary Thursday, June 26th from 6 to 8 P.M. and one hour prior to the service, also at Cannon Mortuary.

Private internment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens at a later date.

Funeral Recording